02.12.2011
Olive McCarthy, Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Carol Power and Ray O’Connor at the launch.
The Irish
credit union movement is celebrated in a recently published book, edited by
academics from the Centre for Co-operative Studies and the Department of
Geography, University College Cork. The
book was launched by Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the
Gaeltacht, on 2nd December 2011 in the headquarters of IRD Duhallow,
Newmarket, Co. Cork.
The Origins, Ethos and Evolution of Co-operative Credit in Ireland: Celebrating the Centenary of the Birth of Nora Herlihy is edited by Carol Power, Ray O’Connor, Olive McCarthy and Michael Ward. It is a collection of essays by national and international experts on the credit union movement. The book is presented in a format that is useful for academics and practitioners but is also accessible to general interest readers. It is enhanced by a range of maps, illustrations and photographs, overseen by Graphics Editor, Helen Bradley.
The book traces the origins of co-operative credit back to the 19th century. It explores how the concept of credit unions was introduced to Ireland and how this led to their establishment in communities from the late 1950s. The book charts the subsequent development of the credit union movement and addresses contemporary issues and debates on the role credit unions in Irish society.
The publication was funded by IRD Duhallow Women’s Forum as part of an annual series of celebrations of renowned local women. Nora Herlihy, who was originally from Ballydesmond in the barony of Duhallow, was one of the key founders of the credit union movement in Ireland.
In his foreword to the book, Minister Deenihan said that this publication “draws together the knowledge and expertise of academics and practitioners and serves as an example of what can be achieved when the university and community groups work together”.
Copies of the book are €20 each and can be ordered from IRD Duhallow, email: Duhallow@eircom.net.